Victim of Massage Envy sex assault breaks her silence

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WASHINGTON, DC -- Monday, Tara Woodley came forward as the Jane Doe who claims to have been sexually assaulted during her visit to a Massage Envy in Tenleytown back in September.

She is one of four women in a law suit who allege that they were sexually assaulted by former Massage Envy massage therapist, Habtamu Gebreselassie.

Woodley joins over 180 women who have reported sexual assaults at Massage Envy, according to a Buzzfeed News investigation.

“I was just frozen, and a fear that freezes you, just kind of overtook me. And, when women talk about they’re just frozen in that moment and they don’t know what to do or how to react, it’s a true emotion and I didn’t know what else to say except that ‘we’re done here’ I just kept repeating that statement and I couldn’t think of any other words.”, said Woodley of the moments after she was violated.
Woodley, who was joined by her husband and attorney, Kim Brooks-Rodney, says she felt empowered by the other women who have stepped forward, to break her silence.

Brooks-Rodney said her client is suing Massage Envy for $25 million to force corporate responsibility and effect change.

“They took a therapist from a Bowie location where he had assaulted someone and moved him to a Tenelytown location and put him in a position to assault Ms. Woodley. If they had simply fired the man, this would not have happened.”, said Brooks-Rodney.

Woodley said the incident has deeply affected her and her entire family, but hopes this law suit will stop anyone else from enduring the same terrifying experience.

She said, “To Massage Envy, the brand, I just say shame on you. [...] I don’t feel like I could ever be comfortable on a table with somebody’s hands on me ever again.”

Massage Envy responded with a brief statement saying, “Our hearts go out to Ms. Woodley. We wish we could give you a response, but the company is not able to comment on open legal cases."